Terminology & Glossary
Centralized terminology management for consistent medical device translations
Centralized terminology database
All approved technical terms, definitions, and translations in one place. Hierarchical structures enable company-wide and product-specific glossaries. No more searching through scattered spreadsheets or emails.
Automatic terminology checking
During translation, manualworks automatically detects glossary terms in the source text and displays the approved translations. Deviations are immediately flagged so that terminology errors never arise in the first place.
Multilingual consistency
Each glossary entry contains approved translations for all your target languages. Changes to a term are automatically highlighted in all linked documents that require updating.
How it works
Build or import glossary
Import existing terminology databases in TBX, CSV, or Excel format, or create your glossary directly in manualworks. The system detects duplicates and assists you with consolidation.
Approve and maintain terms
Define approval workflows for new terminology. Subject-matter experts, translators, and Regulatory Affairs Managers can suggest, review, and approve terms. Every change is versioned.
Automatically apply in translations
During every translation, manualworks automatically matches the text against the glossary. Approved terms are suggested, deviations are flagged, and included in the QA report.
Why Terminology Management Matters
In the medical device industry, a single inconsistently translated technical term can have serious consequences. When an Instruction for Use refers to an "applicator" in one language and an "application aid" in another, this not only jeopardizes comprehension but potentially also patient safety. The MDR requires clear, consistent information — and this is precisely where professional terminology management comes in.
manualworks offers a fully integrated terminology management system that is seamlessly embedded in the translation workflow. Instead of maintaining glossaries in separate Excel spreadsheets and reconciling them manually, all stakeholders work with a single, authoritative terminology database.
Hierarchical Glossary Structure
Terminology management in manualworks is based on a well-designed hierarchical concept. At the top sits the company-wide base glossary, which contains general medical terminology and standard regulatory wording. Below it, product-family-specific glossaries supplement the base glossary with specialized terms.
This structure ensures that fundamental terminology such as "sterile barrier system" or "intended use" is translated identically across all products, while product-specific terms can be managed flexibly.
Terminology as a Living Process
Medical terminology evolves — new standards, updated regulations, and technological innovations introduce new terms. manualworks supports this dynamic process through integrated approval workflows. When a translator encounters a new technical term, they can submit a terminology suggestion directly from the editor.
The suggestion goes through the defined approval process: subject-matter experts verify correctness, Regulatory Affairs Managers confirm regulatory conformity, and after approval, the term is immediately available to all translators. This way, your glossary grows organically and stays current at all times.
Impact on Quality and Efficiency
Companies that practice systematic terminology management report a significant reduction in terminology-related corrections during the review process. Translators work faster because they do not have to search for approved terms. And Regulatory Affairs Managers gain confidence in the consistency of their documentation — an advantage that pays off at every audit.
Invest in a centralized terminology foundation and benefit from higher translation quality, shorter turnaround times, and demonstrable regulatory compliance across your entire product portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import existing terminology databases?+
Yes, manualworks supports importing terminology databases in common formats such as TBX (TermBase eXchange), CSV, and Excel. Existing glossaries from other CAT tools or terminology management systems can be seamlessly imported. During import, the system automatically checks for duplicates and conflicts and suggests consolidation.
How is terminology consistency ensured across different product families?+
manualworks enables a hierarchical glossary structure: a company-wide base glossary contains general technical terms that apply to all products. In addition, you can create product-specific glossaries that supplement the base glossary with specialized terms or define variants. During translation, all relevant glossary levels are automatically considered.